Antigua Says Bitcoin is All About the Benjamin

The Antigua & Barbuda cabinet has instructed its Attorney General to draft laws for the implementation of bitcoin as an official transaction currency.

Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin, who had government passport fraud charges dismissed in 2014, will be investigating the cryptocurrency’s applicable uses after a group affiliated with the Antigua Leisure & Gaming Association met with the Antigua cabinet to discuss bitcoin.

“Here in Antigua & Barbuda we know we are always very much front and centre of new developments; we are leaders, trendsetters in the Caribbean,” Minister of Trade and Consumer Affairs, EP Chet Greene said at the post-Cabinet briefing, yesterday. He cited blockchain’s immutable evidence as bolstering the country against accusations of being lax on tax reporting, particularly with Internet gaming.

Benjamin had his fraud charges dismissed after a Police Commissioner declared there was not enough evidence to convict him. Benjamin was alleged to have signed a passport application form and photograph for an individual who claimed to have been another man.